AFS Intercultural Programs - Portugal High School and Gap-Year Programs

  Portugal

• Other Cities in Portugal: 
Lisbon

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: Year High School (Fall): Sept. 2010- Jun. 2011; Semester High School (Spring): Jan. 2010- Jun. 2010

Description: Portugal, one of the oldest countries in Europe, has been independent since the 12th century. You'll find folk festivals, traditional Fado music, and markets overflowing with fish, fruit, and flowers. The local cuisine relies heavily on the sea, and the most typical dish you'll find is codfish, which the Portuguese prepare in many different ways. Each region, even the smallest village, keeps particular traditions alive year round through colorful decoration, food, drinks, dances, and songs. AFS host family placements are located throughout Portugal.

Highlights: As with all AFS high school programs, you will be placed with a volunteer host family while attending a local host school. Students are placed throughout the Portugal. You may be placed in an urban or suburban areas but AFS Portugal has increasingly been placing a number of students in more rural areas. Rarely are participants placed on the islands of Azores or Madeira. Additionally, it is unlikely that participants will be hosted in Algarve (south coast of Portugal), which is mostly a tourist region. The ability to speak Portuguese is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure. Vegetarians can be particularly difficult to place, since meat and fish is a fundamental part of the Portuguese cuisine.

This program does accept recent high school graduates.

Cost in US$: Programs: Year (USD 10,750), Semester (USD 9,250). Gap Year (USD 10,750 or 9,250)

This Program is open to American Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947